Moneycontrol PRO
HomeNewsTrendsThis museum in Sweden has no artwork, only colourful backgrounds for visitors to click photos

This museum in Sweden has no artwork, only colourful backgrounds for visitors to click photos

"You can take cool pictures and create cool content for your Instagram... This is the perfect place to do Tiktoks," museum manager Sofia Makiniemi said,

April 05, 2022 / 15:40 IST
People visit the "You in the Clouds" room inside Youseum on April 4, 2022, in Solna, near Stockholm.

A new selfie "museum" in Sweden is flipping the script by making visitors both the artist and the exhibit.

The "Youseum" in Stockholm has no works of art on its walls.

Instead its brightly-decorated rooms are meant to serve as fun backgrounds for visitors' selfies or videos.

"You can take cool pictures and create cool content for your Instagram... This is the perfect place to do Tiktoks," manager Sofia Makiniemi said as she showed off the "Emoji Room" filled with blue and yellow balls with smiley and frowning faces.

Children play with blue and yellow balls in the "Youseum", new selfie "museum" in Solna, near Stockholm on April 4, 2022. - A new selfie "museum" in Sweden is flipping the script by making visitors both the artist and the exhibit. The "Youseum" in Stockholm has no works of art on its walls. Instead its brightly-decorated rooms are meant to serve as fun backgrounds for visitors' selfies or videos. Children play with blue and yellow balls in the "Youseum", new selfie "museum" in Solna, near Stockholm on April 4.

Other rooms let you bury yourself in candy-coloured foam sticks, strike a pose under neon lights, or sit on a giant pink swing for your next profile picture.

"You have the lighting, you have the Tiktok music, you have snacks, you have all the things that we like," said 18-year-old Zeneb Elmani, who was visiting with a group of friends.

She loved its "2020s era" vibe.

People visit the "Laundry room" inside Youseum on April 4, 2022, in Solna, near Stockholm. - A new selfie "museum" in Sweden is flipping the script by making visitors both the artist and the exhibit. The "Youseum" in Stockholm has no works of art on its walls. Instead its brightly-decorated rooms are meant to serve as fun backgrounds for visitors' selfies or videos. People visit the "Laundry room" inside Youseum on April 4, 2022, in Solna, near Stockholm. - A new selfie "museum" in Sweden is flipping the script by making visitors both the artist and the exhibit.

- 'Too late to worry' -

For Makiniemi, the Youseum, which is in a shopping mall, lets visitors be the artists themselves, even though the typical influencer may not consider their pictures to be art.

"It's an interactive museum where you can create the art you want to see," she said.

The Youseum concept began in the Netherlands, where they are already two.

With social media ever more ubiquitous, concerns have grown about its dangers, especially its impact on the mental health of young people, in particular girls.

"It is a big part of our society today, so why not try to make it more creative," Makiniemi argued.

The group of young women visiting when AFP dropped in were even less concerned about a darker side or rampant narcissism.

"I think this place is cute for people who love to take pictures, like my friends...Oh my god it's so cute,"  said 18-year-old Chaymae Ouahchi.

Though older generations may scoff at the idea of a museum dedicated to the seemingly self-indulgent practice of photographing yourself, 70-year-old professor Bill Burgwinkle who was visiting with his teenage niece, said we should embrace it.

"I think it's too late to worry. It's the way the world is now," he said, adding that the unorthodox museum seems to "serve its purpose".

AFP
first published: Apr 5, 2022 03:34 pm

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347
CloseOutskill Genai